It also explores the ethical issues surrounding the use of animals by humans.

Guidance for students: Do animals have rights?

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to:

• Consider the ethical, contemporary and social issues.

At the end of this unit students will be able to describe and explain the following statements and carry out tasks indicated:
Human behaviour in relation to other animals;

• Humans have exploited other animals; originally hunters, they domesticated animals that helped them hunt; as humans developed agriculture, humans exploited herd animals to provide constant and dependable source of food.
• Humans have exploited animals in other ways, as a source of clothing and domestic materials and, more recently, for medical purposes.
• Humans also use animals as a source of entertainment (hunting, racing, circuses and wildlife parks) and companionship (pets).
• Human now debate of the use of animals in these different ways; some consider that animals have rights comparable or identical to humans, others consider such beliefs are not tenable.